The Wildcats were back on the volleyball court Wednesday night, taking on the Medina Bees from Sullivan Gym. The Cats came in after winning their first match of the 2021 season with a 3-0 victory vs. Archbishop Hoban. The Wildcats were hungry for more, playing an aggressive brand of volleyball vs. Medina.

Head Volleyball Coach Dominick Adornato’s ’11 men came out firing against the Bees, taking an early 11-4 lead in the opening set. The Wildcats put the Bees away early in the first set as they would total five aces, ten kills, three blocks, and 11 digs in the 25-20 set win. Danny Salem and Alec Bender lead the way in the first set with three kills each as both were a dominant force all night vs. Medina.

Medina began to turn the momentum in the second set as they enjoyed a 23-14 lead against the Wildcats. A no-quit attitude has been ingrained early this season by the Wildcats, an early motto for Saint Ignatius. The Blue and Gold clawed their way back into the set. Like the last game, Patrick O’Neill’s serves were impeccable and sparked the Cats in set two. O’Neill assisted the Wildcats to six straight points as a server. The rally fell short for the Cats, falling 25-22 to Medina in set two.

With the match tied at one apiece heading to set three, the Wildcats could not be stopped by the Bees. Not just one Wildcat stood out; it was the whole group working as one. Freshman captain Patrick Maly was the perfect assist man as he would rack up seven while setting up players such as Salem, Bender, and Jacob Thomas. The Cats ran away with a 25-10 set three win to take a 2-1 match advantage.

The Wildcats continued that dominant play in set four vs. Medina. After an infraction by the Bees, the Cats jumped out to an early 8-1 lead. Saint Ignatius dominated throughout the final set to the tone of four aces, 13 kills, and 11 digs. The Blue and Gold finished the match off with a 25-14 win in set four.

“Coach Dominick gave us a great pep talk to come out with focus and energy,” says SIBN Player of the Game Salem. “Energy is what helped us win tonight, and we crushed it.”

The Wildcats now stand at a 2-2 record in the 2021 regular season. They will hit the road for their first road trip of the season to Mount Vernon High School this Saturday. The Cats will have a triple header taking on Archbishop Moeller, Walsh Jesuit, and Mount Vernon. The first set is at 10 a.m. vs. the Crusaders.